Bangladesh Reinstates Israel Travel Ban

Bangladesh has reinstated a travel ban to Israel, reaffirming its longstanding policy of not recognizing the Israeli state.

The government announced the return of the phrase "Valid for travel to all countries except Israel" on Bangladeshi passports, highlighting its continued support for the Palestinian cause.

The travel restriction had been removed in 2021 under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

At the time, officials insisted the change did not reflect any shift in the country’s official stance toward Israel.

Deputy Home Minister Nilufer Afroz told the Bangladesh state news agency that the Ministry of Home Affairs issued formal orders last week instructing the Immigration and Passport Department to implement the decision.

According to the local newspaper *The Daily Star*, the Director General of Immigration has been directed to take the necessary steps to reintroduce the wording on all passports.

The decision comes amid a surge in public support for Palestine. On Saturday, around 100,000 people rallied in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, to show solidarity with Gaza.

Protesters held banners condemning world leaders who support Israel and burned effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US President Donald Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The massive demonstration was organized by several political groups, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, along with various Islamic organizations.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country, has consistently supported Palestinian statehood and opposed diplomatic relations with Israel since its independence.